Question

Consider the following oxidation-reduction reaction: 2fe3+(aq) + 2hg(l) + 2cl−(aq) → 2fe2+(aq) + hg2cl2(s). indicate the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent.

Answer 1

The reducing agent is Hg (mercury) and the oxidixing agent is Cl (chlorine)

Step-by-step explanation:

first find the oxidation charges of each of the different ions. All elements that are alone have a charge of 0. As you compare the reactants and products we can see that the chargers of Hg and Cl have changed.

Hg went from a charge of 0 to a charge of +1

Cl went from a charge of 0 to a charge of -1

remember when a substance gains electrons it is reducing and when a substance is losing electrons it is oxidizing.

use the acryonm

OIL

Oxidizing Is Losing

RIG

Reducing Is Gaining